ns as completely in Montenegro as though its
passes were occupied by her soldiers. The supplies stopped, all would
be anarchy and confusion. Nor do the Montenegrians object to this in
any way. Their personal independence is in no way compromised, and
their laws and usages remain unaltered. There is not a single Russian
in Montenegro, and, only knowing them at distance, they regard them at
present with hearty good-will. The Vladika, however, who reaps the
greatest benefits, has, it would appear, to submit to a certain loss
of freedom. During the past summer he visited Trieste and Vienna; and
I was informed, on good authority, had desired to go to England, but
had been unable to obtain the permission of an emperor who seems
determined no one shall travel but himself. The Vladika had certainly
expressed to me a hope that he should visit England some time. There
can be no doubt that it is well worth while thus to secure the
alliance of the Montenegrians, for they would prove a bitter thorn in
any collision either with Turkey or Austria. The country is divided
into twelve military jurisdictions, under so many captains, and every
man is bound to serve, though by what power, except inclination, I am
sure I do not know. I do not imagine that this has been particularly
provided for, so willing are they to serve uncalled.

The population of Montenegro is at the present time not short of one
hundred and twenty thousand souls. Of these, more than half would be
serviceable were their own territory invaded; for every boy of eight
years old and upwards carries a gun, and there is no reason he should
not point it as straight as an older person, presenting, at the same
time, a smaller mark to the enemy. The women even occasionally assist,
and at all times carry the ammunition and supplies. I used sometimes
to think, when meeting one of these armed urchins, how ignominious it
would be to be robbed by him; and yet, were he only cunning enough to
keep out of arm's-length, I don't exactly know how it could be helped.
The arms of the Montenegrians consist of a long gun, usually very
elegantly mounted, the stock short, and curved like a horse's neck;
round his waist is a belt with cartouch-boxes containing the spare
ammunition, the cartridges for immediate use being in the pistol-belt
in front. Here, in a leather case, is a mass of arms which occupy the
same relative position to the wearer as the youthful kangaroo to its
parent; here are a br